Modular wagering game machine signage

• US 9,659,434 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bainbridge, Scott C., Barker, Paul C., Mancilla, Arturo E., Minch, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): D'Agostino, Paul A
• Application Number:
  US12/809,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20110070948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,077 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16, 463 20, 463 30, 463 32, 463 34
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable

Abstract

Modular wagering game machine signage is described herein. In some embodiments, a modular wagering game machine sign can include a center module including a plurality of support members, at least one outer panel covering the frame, and a lighted faceplate including lighting units. The lighting units can include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and globes. The sign can also includes at least one side module connected to the center module via hand-spinning latches configured to press against one or more of the center module s support members.

Claims

1. A modular wagering game machine sign configured for placement above one or more wagering game machines, wherein the modular wagering game sign includes a plurality of modules that can be assembled without tools, the modular wagering game machine sign including:

a center module including,

a plurality of support members forming a frame;

at least one outer panel including indicia about a wagering game available on the wagering game machines, the at least one outer panel covering the frame;

a lighted faceplate including lighting units, wherein each lighting unit includes,

a light emitting diode (LED); and

a globe enveloping the LED;

at least one side module detachably connected to the center module, the at least one side module including,

one or more hand-spinning latches including,

a head including a curved member to hold the side module in contact with one or more of the center module'"'"'s support members;

a shaft connected to the head;

a handle connected to the shaft, the handle configured to transfer, via the shaft, hand-applied rotational forces to the head to rotate the head into and out of contact with the center module'"'"'s one or more support members.

2. The modular wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the globe is a solid mass.

3. The modular wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the globe is hollow inside.

4. The modular wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein some of the center module'"'"'s support members include sockets, and wherein the lighted faceplate includes snap-in fasteners configured to detachably sink into the sockets to hold the lighted faceplate to one or more of the center module'"'"'s support members.

5. The modular wagering game machine of claim 1, wherein the center module includes a swing arm connected to a display device, wherein the swing arm can rotate the display device away from the center module.

6. The modular wagering game machine of claim 5, wherein the swing arm rotates in a horizontal plane.

7. The modular wagering game machine of claim 5, wherein the swing arm rotates in a vertical plane.

8. A modular wagering game sign comprising:

an auxiliary sign;

a sign module including,

a frame covered by an enclosure;

a quick-release coupling mounted on the frame, wherein the quick-release coupling includes a receiver configured to receive the auxiliary sign component, a spring-actuated pin to hold the auxiliary sign component in the receiver, and a handle connected to the spring-actuated pin.

9. The modular wagering game sign of claim 8, wherein the sign module further includes:

a display device; and

a swing arm coupled to the frame and the display device, wherein the swing arm is configured to rotate the display device away from the sign module exposing electronic components.

10. The modular wagering game sign of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary sign component is connected to a marquee mounted above the sign module.

11. The modular wagering game sign of claim 8, wherein the auxiliary sign component is connected to an auxiliary sign oriented beside the sign module.

12. The modular wagering game sign of claim 8, further including:

a platform to support the sign module rest; and

another sign module on the platform, the sign modules coupled hand-spinning via latches.

13. The modular wagering game sign of claim 8, further including:

lighting units including light emitting diodes and globes.

14. The modular wagering game sign of claim 13, wherein the globes are hollow.

15. The modular wagering game sign of claim 13, wherein the globes are solid.

16. A modular wagering game machine sign including:

a master module including,

means for holding a marquee above the master module;

means for mounting electronic components inside the master module;

means for rotating one or more display devices and exposing the electronic components;

at least one auxiliary module connected to the master module, the auxiliary module including,

means for mounting lighting inside the auxiliary module;

means for holding an auxiliary sign in proximity to the auxiliary module;

means for supporting the master module and the at least one auxiliary module; and

means for coupling the at least one auxiliary module to the master module.

17. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 16, wherein the means for rotating the display device includes means for rotating the display device'"'"'s viewing angle.

18. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 16, wherein the modular wagering game machine sign includes another master module connected to the master module and the at least one auxiliary module.

19. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 16 further comprising:

a lighted faceplate coupled to the master module via snap-in connectors, the lighted face plate including means for lighting the faceplate.

20. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 19, wherein the means for lighting the faceplate is configured to present bonus game content associated with a wagering game machine.

21. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 16, wherein the means for mounting lighting inside the auxiliary module includes a translucent material.

22. A modular wagering game machine sign to present wagering game information, the modular wagering game machine sign comprising:

a center module including,

mounting slots to receive with one or more other modules;

electrical components mounted inside the center module;

a first electrical connector coupled to the electrical components; and

a video display device connected to the electrical components;

at least one support member connected to the center module to hold the center module above a bank of wagering game machines; and

at least one side module including,

studs to protrude though the slots and connect the side module to the center module;

a second electrical connector configured to connect to the first electrical connector.

23. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 22, wherein the center module further includes a hinge for orienting the display device at different viewing angles.

24. The modular wagering game machine sign of claim 22, wherein the center module includes another video display device.